OUR OPINION: Here's a toast to council vote

SAN ANGELO, Texas - The monthslong stalemate over the question of allowing beer sales at San Angelo’s new sports complex finally was resolved last week, with Alvin New, presiding over his second City Council meeting as mayor, providing the vote to figuratively tap the keg.

Three council members had blocked the sale of beer, and discussion broadly addressed the problems related to alcohol use and opponents specifically objected to beer consumption with children present.

That line of reasoning might have made sense if the council were deciding whether to allow alcohol sales anywhere in San Angelo, or even just at city-owned facilities. But those decisions already have been made. Alcohol is legally sold in San Angelo, and the city sells alcohol at its other venues, including at events where children are in attendance.

So the issue actually was a narrow one — whether beer would be sold at softball games at the Texas Bank Sports Complex. Opponents objected even to the compromise version that banned beer sales when children’s games were occurring in the complex.

And they objected even though the ordinance that passed will better address most of their concerns than prohibiting alcohol sales.

If beer isn’t sold, people will bring their own and drink it in the parking lot. It seems likely they would drink more than if they had to buy it from a concessionaire — who, because of last week’s vote, will be tasked with monitoring consumption.

Under the new ordinance, alcohol can’t legally be brought into the complex. And unlike before, the ordinance requires that a police officer be on hand to enforce that law and, of course, others, meaning that it will be a more secure environment than before.

The money raised from beer sales — an estimated $70,000 to $80,000 a year — can be used to help maintain the complex. And because the availability of beer will make the venue more attractive to prospective tournament organizers, it’s more likely the complex will deliver on the promise that it would boost the economy by bringing more visitors to San Angelo.

The new ordinance also corrects a misguided effort to single out one sport and one group of people for different treatment than those who attend events at other city facilities. People all over the nation enjoy a beer and a softball game without undesirable consequences, and it’s wrong to think San Angelo should be any different.